Chapter 39: Unexpected

The two headed straight for the second floor. As they looked around the quiet bar—not particularly large but decorated with a charming, intimate atmosphere—and listened to the background music, it was easy to imagine sitting there with a group of friends, drinking and chatting. It was, indeed, a pleasant spot.

"Is this... your girlfriend?"

He hadn't heard that Su Xiang was dating a celebrity.

"Don't talk nonsense. Qi Fei is my friend." Su Xiang shot him a look, signaling him to watch his mouth.

"Really?"

"What else?"

"Qi Qi, let me introduce you. This is my good buddy, Yu Tao, a rich second-generation heir who wastes his life away."

Yu Tao: "..."

Qi Fei could tell Su Xiang was joking, but it was clear that they were close friends. By now, she had also realized that the atmosphere between them really didn't feel like that of a couple.

"You guy, don't ruin my image in front of a goddess." Yu Tao then turned to her. "Fei Fei, you'd better be careful; this guy is no good."

Yu Tao grew more animated as he spoke, sitting down next to Su Xiang. "Let me tell you, this guy changes girlfriends every day. Every time he comes here, he brings someone new. He is a total scumbag, a super scumbag."

Qi Fei: "..."

Su Xiang: "..."

This toxic friend was beyond saving. *He doesn't change girlfriends every day! He’s only ever brought one girl here. Anyone listening to this would think he’s a massive playboy.*

Seeing Qi Fei subconsciously lean back, Su Xiang feared she might actually believe it. "That’s enough. Keep going and Qi Qi will actually believe you."

Yu Tao knew when to stop and asked with a grin, "What are we drinking today? Should I bring out your private reserve?"

"Sure. Get Qi Qi a glass of fruit wine." Su Xiang explained to her, "It’s getting late, and it’s not safe for you to drink anything strong before heading back to the hotel. This sweet wine is low-alcohol, just like a soft drink."

"No wonder Xiang Xiang can change girlfriends every day. Hmm... how thoughtful."

Su Xiang: "..." Yu Tao burst into laughter.

Suddenly, Qi Fei's attention was drawn to a commotion outside. A group of people was clearly approaching with hostile intent.

"Did you two offend someone?"

"What?"

Both men were baffled by her question. She didn't say anything, just gestured with her chin toward the entrance. As they looked, the door was kicked open with a loud crash.

"It’s that grandson Qu Hao again." Yu Tao frowned and stood up.

"You have a grudge?"

As the three of them headed downstairs, Su Xiang explained, "These two have been at each other's throats since they were kids. It’s always one of us pulling a scheme on the other."

"It looks like he really ticked someone off this time," or else they wouldn't have come charging in so aggressively. "He’s definitely looking for trouble today."

Before going down, Qi Fei put her hat and mask back on—better to avoid unnecessary trouble—and stood in the back to watch. However, when she saw the other party pick up a chair and start smashing things, she was surprised. *They’re actually fighting? Didn't they say it wasn't a big deal?*

Su Xiang hadn't expected it either. They were all people of status, and he hadn't anticipated such a physical escalation; otherwise, he never would have let Qi Fei come down.

"Tao, what did you do?"

There was no time for an answer. Su Xiang didn't care about the reason anymore and rushed in to help, as there were seven or eight of them. He didn't forget to warn Qi Fei, "Qi Qi, stay back so you don't get hurt. And don't call the police!"

Qi Fei hadn't intended to intervene, but when she saw both men bleeding and the attackers aiming for their heads, she frowned. They were starting to lose their cool, and if this continued, someone might actually be killed. Seeing the staff hiding in terror, she knew they were useless.

She circled behind the group, locked the door, and charged in. With a swift kick, she sent the man attacking Su Xiang flying into a table. She calmly picked up a discarded chair leg and joined the fray.

Qi Fei aimed for the most painful pressure points, ensuring one strike was enough to take each person down. Both men were stunned by her fierce demeanor. In less than a minute, a pile of men lay on the floor, groaning in agony.

"Qi Qi, behind you!"

Before the words were out, Qi Fei performed a sweeping kick, dropping the attacker to the ground.

"Qu Hao, aren't you ashamed? You hit a woman, and you tried to ambush me?" Yu Tao was truly furious; that blow had been aimed at the back of Qi Fei's head. It would have been devastating if it had landed.

Qi Fei hadn't expected them to fight so dishonorably. Seeing the group struggling to stand, she looked at Yu Tao and said, "I think I went too easy on them. They can still stand."

*Too easy?* Qu Hao cursed inwardly. That one strike had made him feel like he was dying; this woman was terrifyingly ruthless.

Seeing the bruises on both men and the blood on their foreheads, Qi Fei frowned. "Should I dislocate their arms or their legs? I guarantee no doctor will be able to put them back together."

A chill ran through the group of men. Was she even human? Yet, for some reason, they all believed she was capable of doing exactly that.

Yu Tao had been hot-headed earlier, but he had calmed down. They were all from influential families; if they went too far, their elders wouldn't be able to smooth things over. Besides, the others were in the wrong; if he crippled them, the blame would shift.

"Forget it."

"Let's go, Qi Qi. Let's head back upstairs." Su Xiang left the rest for Yu Tao to handle.

"Qi Qi, how are you so good at fighting?" He had never heard of her having such skills. She had taken down seven or eight strong men with such ease, without a scratch on her.

Qi Fei had a ready excuse: "I learned a little when I was abroad."

*That was more than just a little.* Su Xiang knew she had held back. If she had aimed those strikes at their heads or vital organs, it was questionable how many would still be breathing.

After tonight, his impression of Qi Fei was completely overturned. He felt a sense of shock, as if meeting her for the first time. She was nothing like the delicate, fragile girl he had imagined. She was incredibly cool.

Before long, the group downstairs had vanished. Qi Fei wasn't curious about how Yu Tao handled it. When he came up with a first-aid kit, he was still worried. "Do you need to go to the hospital?"

Su Xiang touched the injury on his head. It had been hit with a bottle, and though it hurt, it wasn't serious—just looked scary. He waved it off. "Thanks for tonight, Qi Qi. If you ever need anything, just call me." If not for her, they would have been in serious trouble.

Qi Fei hadn't planned on gaining anything from this; it was a small favor, and she was helping Su Xiang because he had helped her many times. She couldn't just stand by.

"Qi Qi, what's with the 'call me'? You should call me 'Big Brother'."

Yu Tao: "..." He was four or five years older than her, and she wanted him to call her 'Sister'?

The man who had just acted so tough about not needing a hospital started wincing as his wounds were cleaned. "Qi Qi, if you were so good, why didn't you step in sooner? You almost let me get disfigured!"

Qi Fei looked innocent. "You told me to stay back."

Su Xiang: "..." *How was I supposed to know you were a martial arts master?*

Qi Fei took a sip of her fruit wine and looked at Su Xiang’s twisted face. "You weren't that handsome to begin with. If you're disfigured, so be it."

Su Xiang: "..."

Yu Tao: "..." He laughed until he couldn't breathe. "Oh my, someone finally said it! Qi Qi, do you know? This guy, a grown man, treasures his face like it's his life."

"When I saw you two come in together, I really thought you were his girlfriend. I was thinking, 'Qi Qi, you're so beautiful, how could you ever fall for a guy like him?'"

Su Xiang took a direct hit to his ego, clutching his chest in mock agony.